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| 25 JULY, 2012 |
| Week 2 |
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MULTILIT and Homework Club Volunteers return to school
We are delighted to have our wonderful volunteers returning to schools next week, after a well-earned holiday. Volunteers will be available until the end of term and we have contacted your school’s volunteer coordinator to prepare for their return.
Our volunteers are looking forward to helping your students this term and we thank you for supporting them.
Open Day at the University of Sydney is Saturday 25 August. Compass Coordinators received an email about free bus travel last term, but please see Reminders & Notices below for more information.
Year 12 students who participate in the Promote Yourself scholarship application workshop, a new Compass activity, will have the chance to discuss and edit their application draft with Compass staff or volunteers on the day.
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| UPCOMING ACTIVITIES |
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Marrickville HS
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Wednesday 25 July Parent-Teacher night
Compass staff to attend
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Sir Joseph Banks HS
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Wednesday 25 July Year Ten Subject Selection evening
Compass staff to attend
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Moorebank HS
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Thursday 26 July
Official launch of Compass partnership with Moorebank HS
Junior assembly with Compass staff
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Kogarah HS
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Friday 27 July Year 11 'Thinking Ahead' workshop
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Promote Yourself: Year 12 scholarship application workshops
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To give Year 12 students a competitive edge in their scholarship applications to university or TAFE.
Bankstown Hub:
Tuesday 31 July
3.30 - 5.30 pm
Liverpool Hub:
Thursday 2 August
4.00 - 6.00pm
Kogarah Hub
Wednesday 8 August
12.30 - 2.30 pm
Compass coordinators have received an email with more information. Please contact Victoria Loy with any queries.
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Marrickville HS
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Wednesday 8 August Year 11 'Thinking Ahead' workshop
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National Science Week videoconference event
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8th August 2012 9.30-10.30am
Celebrating National Science Week – The Sleek Geeks Go Regional
Videoconference for Years 7 - 10. See NEWS section below for details.
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Science Unleashed
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Tuesday 7 August - Thursday 9 August
The Australian Museum Science Festival
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Kogarah HS
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Thursday 16 August Year 7 campus visit
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Marrickville HS
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Thursday 23 August Year 7 campus visit
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University of Sydney Open Day
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On Saturday 25 August the University throws open its doors, inviting you to explore the campus, learn about the hundreds of courses on offer, and discover what life at Sydney is really like.
Download the program from the University website here.
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| REMINDERS & NOTICES |
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3 Phase Programs – REGISTRATIONS STILL OPEN
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You can still register for 3 Phase Programs for this term – there are times remaining for post-visit lessons during Weeks 7 and 8 of Term 3.
If you would like to have a 3 Phase Program along with your Science Unleashed or Nicholson Museum excursion, please register for a post-visit lesson by Wednesday 1 August (Week 3) at http://sydney.edu.au/compass/teachers/activity/register.php.
When registering, please provide a day and time for the post-visit lesson, and at least one alternative day/time, to assist us in booking Compass volunteers. We will confirm the post-visit lesson time at least one week prior to the lesson.
Please note that we are able to deliver the full 3 Phase Program to up to two classes in one cohort only per school. Please ensure that the two classes are those which have not previously participated in the 3 Phase Program. Naturally, other students from your school can still attend the activity itself!
3 Phase Programs – Already Registered?
Thank you to those schools who have already registered their interest in participating in a 3 Phase Program in Term 3. Volunteers are still on holidays but we will confirm post-visit lesson times by the end of Week 4.
3-Phase Program materials for Science Unleashed have been sent to schools this week – please contact us if you do not receive them by early next week.
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Evaluations for FP&E/Stop Motion
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Please send your Term 2 evaluation forms for teachers and student by the end of the week. An email was sent at the end of Term 2 and the updated student evaluation was sent on 16 July. The evaluations will help us measure the outcomes and improve the delivery of the program. Thank you to the schools that have sent their evaluations.
Have you finished your movie? Are you planning to have a screening? Every year we host the Compass showcase where we celebrate students' achievements and involvement with Compass program throughout the year. We will collect your movies for the showcase and where possible post your movie on our website. Sylvia Utami will contact the school FP&E and Animation coordinator individually to collect the DVD. If possible, try to store your stop motion animation set and characters securely for an exhibition during the Compass showcase. We are all looking forward to seeing the movies! |
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Occupational Therapy student placements recommence
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We would like to welcome the 4th year and Master of Occupational Therapy students from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney. They have started their Occupational Therapy placement this week at four of Compass' partner primary schools and will continue to work with the K-2 students for the next eight weeks.
In Term 3 the focus will be on small group treatment activities and developing materials to assist teachers in the classroom. So make sure that you keep an eye on Compass Directions for teachers' professional development sessions during the second half of the term! |
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National Computer Science School Challenge
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The NCSS Challenge is an online programming competition that teaches students how to program as they compete. Last year, over 2000 students participated from over 200 different schools. As the Challenge is entirely web-based, many students in regional and remote Australia take part.
The competition runs from Monday 6th August, 2012 until Sunday 9th September, 2012. To register, please visit their website: http://ncss.edu.au/ Registration is open from now until August 12. |
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| NEWS |
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The Sleek Geeks bring Science Week to your classroom ADD PHOTO WEDNESDAY
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Celebrating National Science Week – The Sleek Geeks Go Regional, 9.30-10.30am on 8th August 2012.
Years 7 - 10
The Sleek Geeks are two of Australia's best loved science broadcasters, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and Adam Spencer. They will be connecting to classrooms across NSW on 8th August 2012! Regardless of whether you are in outback New South Wales or in the centre of Sydney, Adam Spencer and Dr Karl are coming live to your classroom to ask “How are you celebrating Science Week this year?”
For more details and to register your school online at http://dartconnections.org.au/BookingRetrieve.aspx?ID=205931
This event is brought to you by the University of Sydney, NSW Trade and Investment, broadcast by DART Connections.
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Q&A: Teachers, Schools and our Education System
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On Monday 23 July, ABC television's Q&A program featured the University of Sydney's vice-chancellor Michael Spence and Shadow Education Minister Christopher Pyne in a discussion about class sizes, funding models, the Gonski review, and national curriculum. During the episode Attorney General Nicola Roxon proudly reminded the panel of the 24% increase in university participation by students from low-SES backgrounds over the last five years, and public schools advocate Jane Caro called on Australian governments to reconsider their actual economic capabilities in education funding.
To watch the episode on the Q&A website, click here.
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| NEW PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES |
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Science Teachers Workshop, 5 - 9 November 2012
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The Science Teachers’ Workshops are professional development courses offered across multiple disciplines (agriculture, biology, chemistry and physics) over a one-week period in November 2012. The courses are suitable for high school science teachers of all levels.
Click here to read more, download the program, and register.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
All Compass partner schools can use their Professional Development budget to pay the workshop fees. To help cover the cost of teacher relief,
the Division of Natural Sciences at the University of Sydney is delighted to be able to offer a limited amount of financial assistance to eligible teachers who wish to attend the Science Teachers’ Workshop 2012.
(As funding is limited, we cannot guarantee that all applicants will be successful).
Who can apply for financial assistance?
Teachers applying for financial assistance must be:
- · Currently teaching in a NSW Low Socio-Economic Status (LSES) high school
- · Currently teaching at HSC level in a relevant discipline e.g. sciences or agriculture
- · Able to attend the Science Teacher’s Workshop in November 2012
- · Applications close on Wednesday 15th August 2012
Please refer to the website form more information and application procedure.
http://sydney.edu.au/science/outreach/teacher_resources/teachers_workshop_financial_assistance.shtml
What is the Science Teachers’ Workshop?The Science Teachers’ Workshops are professional development courses offered across multiple disciplines (agriculture, biology, chemistry and physics) over a one-week period in November 2012. The courses are suitable for high school science teachers of all levels – whether you’re just starting out, teaching in a new area, or have years of experience – our program has something for you. Click here to read more, download the program, and register.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
All Compass partner schools can use their Professional Development budget to pay the workshop fees. To help cover the cost of teacher relief, the Division of Natural Sciences at the University of Sydney is delighted to be able to offer a limited amount of financial assistance to eligible teachers who wish to attend the Science Teachers’ Workshop 2012.
Who can apply for financial assistance?
Teachers applying for financial assistance must be:
- · Currently teaching in a NSW Low Socio-Economic Status (LSES) high school
- · Currently teaching at HSC level in a relevant discipline e.g. sciences or agriculture
- · Able to attend the Science Teacher’s Workshop in November 2012
- · Applications close on Wednesday 15th August 2012
Please refer to the website form more information and application procedure.
http://sydney.edu.au/science/outreach/teacher_resources/teachers_workshop_financial_assistance.shtml
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Culturally Diverse Music Programs
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The Music Educators’ Series
AT THE SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC
Saturday 10 November, 9am-12pm
Facilitator: Cassandra Brennan
- Participants will learn how to design extra-curricular programs that are culturally inclusive and draw on the skills, needs and interests of the students and members of the school community.
School educators are teaching increasingly diverse school populations. The challenge of engaging students of all backgrounds in music classrooms is evident. Current research demonstrates that many programs end up alienating, rather than engaging students in some music classrooms.
This workshop will examine current research in the field of music education and student engagement. Participants will learn how to design extra-curricular programs that are culturally inclusive and draw on the skills, needs and interests of the students and members of the school community.
Culturally Diverse Music ProgramsSaturday 10 November, 9am-12pm Facilitator: Cassandra Brennan
- Participants will learn how to design extra-curricular programs that are culturally inclusive and draw on the skills, needs and interests of the students and members of the school community.
School educators are teaching increasingly diverse school populations. The challenge of engaging students of all backgrounds in music classrooms is evident. Current research demonstrates that many programs end up alienating, rather than engaging students in some music classrooms. This workshop will examine current research in the field of music education and student engagement. Participants will learn how to design extra-curricular programs that are culturally inclusive and draw on the skills, needs and interests of the students and members of the school community. In this workshop examples of culturally inclusive extra-curricular program models that have been successfully implemented within schools will be given and examined. Practical activities will focus on building participants’ confidence in successfully integrating repertoire from unfamiliar cultural backgrounds with appropriate pedagogical strategies, to result in authentic, high-quality performances. Cost: $60 Early Bird Rate (for enrolments prior to 26 October) $80 (for enrolments after 26 October) Enrolments available until 8 November or until all places filled. Morning tea is included. Click here to see the brochure, or for more information please call the Con on 9351 1240. To register as a Compass Professional Learning activity, please use the Compass online registration form.
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Conversations about literary texts – module 1
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Oct 17, 24, 31 & Nov 7, 14, 21
Conversations about literary texts – module 1
Oct 17, 24, 31 & Nov 7, 14, 21
Conversations about literary texts – module 1 Blended mode – 12 hours face-to-face at Homebush Boys High School + 8 hours reading/online activities NSWIT Course Code C08360.
- Teaching grammar in primary school and middle years.
- The teaching of literary texts as the context in which grammar is taught to support meaning.
- Details and dates TBA
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Mentoring - Module 1
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Mentoring - Module 1
Mentoring - Module 1Available all Term 4 2011 – Opens Week 1 NSWIT Course Code C08579
This course is designed to meet the needs of teachers who are involved in mentoring and all teachers interested in professional development related to mentoring, teacher induction and teacher accreditation issues. The course will include:
- a critical overview of the research in the areas of professional development, mentoring and teacher induction
- a study of key issues related to the concept of mentoring and teacher induction identified through the review of literature
- analysis of the current developments around standards of professional practice
- opportunities for individuals to discuss and investigate specific mentoring issues and develop mentoring skill.
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Dr Michael Ungar, ‘Resilience in the Middle Years’
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1 – 2 November
Dr Michael Ungar, ‘Resilience in the Middle Years’
*REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN* 1 – 2 NovemberDr Michael Ungar, ‘Resilience in the Middle Years’Michael Ungar is a University Research Professor and Professor at the School of Social Work at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. As the Director of the Resilience Research Centre, he currently leads a number of studies of resilience involving researchers from more than a dozen countries on six continents.He is also the author of eight books including:
- Strengths-Based Counseling with At-Risk Youth
- We Generation: Raising Socially Responsible Kids
- Playing at Being Bad: The Hidden Resilience of Troubled Teens, and
- Too Safe for Their Own Good: How Risk and Responsibility Help Teens Thrive.
See future Compass Directions for more information.
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| COMPASS |
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| E12 EARLY OFFER SCHEME LAUNCHED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY |
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The University of Sydney this week launched its new Early Offer Year 12 scheme (E12).
Designed to assist year 12 students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds the E12 scheme enables school principals to nominate up to 10 students they believe show the potential to succeed at the University of Sydney, for degrees covered by the scheme. The principals' recommendations are then considered by a select panel from the University, which may also interview applicants for some courses.The University of Sydney this week launched its new Early Offer Year 12 scheme (E12). Designed to assist year 12 students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds the E12 scheme enables school principals to nominate up to 10 students they believe show the potential to succeed at the University of Sydney, for degrees covered by the scheme. The principals' recommendations are then considered by a select panel from the University, which may also interview applicants for some courses. Students who are offered an early conditional offer under the scheme will have a place reserved just for them at the University of Sydney. Provided they meet the special ATAR cut-offs and subject bands for their preferred course, these students will then have their offer confirmed through UAC in the early January round. "School students might not reach their desired final mark for a variety of reasons. The E12 scheme means that we can still recruit and support young people with the potential to succeed at the University and beyond," said University of Sydney Director of Social Inclusion Annette Cairnduff. School principals have received a letter from the university and information for schools and parents about the scheme. |
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| ICLS CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS AVAILABLE ONLINE |
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The International Conference of the Learning Sciences took place between 2 - 6 July, 2012 in Sydney.
Conference proceedings, including full papers, can be downloaded via the organisation's website here.
Topics include:
- Understanding How Learners Grapple with Wicked Problems in Environmental Science
- Improving Revision in Wiki-based Writing: Coordination Pays off
- Scaffolding a Knowledge Community for High School Physics
- Understanding Teachers' Cultural Models about Technology
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| HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE FDN? |
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We are excited to be working with the Future Direction Network again for Open Day, and think that those of you who don't yet know about them, should!
The Future Direction Network uses mentoring programs, career pathway planning and financial assistance to inform, educate and inspire youth from South West Sydney to attend university. One of the FDN's regular commitments is to bring as many students from the South West to university open days as possible, recognising that long travel times to unfamiliar surrounds can act as a deterrent to some students.
The FDN and the NRL (National Rugby League) have generously provided buses for Open Day to help get your students and their families into the campus -- see Reminders & Notices -- and we thank them for their important support.We are excited to be working with the Future Direction Network again for Open Day, and think that those of you who don't yet know about them, should! The Future Direction Network uses mentoring programs, career pathway planning and financial assistance to inform, educate and inspire youth from South West Sydney to attend university. One of the FDN's regular commitments is to bring as many students from the South West to university open days as possible, recognising that long travel times to unfamiliar surrounds can act as a deterrent to some students. Guest speakers, all of whom grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney and have gone on to graduate from university and enjoy successful careers, tell their stories about the challenges they faced as students and the career path that they have engaged in. Ambassadors for the FDN include founding director Corey Payne of the Canterbury Bulldogs, Federal Minister for Immigration & Citizenship Chris Bowen, and journalist and television personality Chris Bath. Two of our Compass schools, Fairfield HS and Westfield Sports HS, are fellow partners of the Future Direction Network. But as mentioned, the FDN and the NRL (National Rugby League) have generously provided buses for Open Day to help get your students and their families into the campus -- see Reminders & Notices -- and we thank them for their important support. |
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| USEFUL LINKS |
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